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Bechtel Corp. yesterday won a U.S. government contract to repair Iraq's power, water and sewer systems, a deal that will pay as much as $680 million to the San Francisco-based firm.

The U.S. Agency for International Development announced the award for emergency capital construction, one of eight Iraqi reconstruction contracts that could total as much as $1.7 billion for U.S.-based companies.

"The capital construction contract is part of U.S. AID's planned reconstruction assistance to the Iraqi people, aimed at helping maintain stability, ensure the delivery of essential services, and facilitate economic recovery," the agency said in a statement announcing the award.